Flexible Test Gas Container for Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test gas containers for leak detection systems are rigid and face challenges with large pressure drops due to high leak rates, requiring frequent refilling and being costly to maintain constant pressure, especially when volume increase is limited by the size of the test device.
Innovation Solution
A flexible test gas container, such as a foil bag made from a film material with a capillary leak, where the capillary is embedded in the edge and a spacer is used to prevent sticking and facilitate filling, allowing for a consistent leak rate over a long period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rigid test gas container is used with a large leak rate, then the leak rate is sufficient for testing, but the pressure drop in the container becomes large requiring frequent refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The test gas container transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible membrane-based structure that can dynamically adjust its volume. As gas is consumed through the capillary leak, the flexible membrane contracts inward, maintaining a relatively constant pressure differential across the capillary throughout the discharge cycle, thereby stabilizing the leak rate without requiring frequent refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the container from rigid to flexible, allowing the container volume to vary dynamically. This parameter change enables the container to adapt its internal pressure characteristics, maintaining more stable pressure conditions over time despite gas consumption, thus reducing refilling frequency while sustaining adequate leak rates.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the volume of the test gas container is increased to reduce pressure drop, then the pressure stability improves, but the device size becomes too large for the test application
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the initial volume of the container to improve pressure stability, the invention employs a dynamic volume adjustment mechanism through the flexible membrane. The container starts with a compact volume suitable for the test application and dynamically adjusts its effective volume during operation, maintaining pressure stability without requiring a larger initial container size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the container from a fixed-volume rigid structure to a variable-volume flexible structure. This allows the container to maintain a small initial footprint while dynamically expanding its effective gas storage capability during operation, achieving pressure stability without compromising the size constraints of the test device.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a pressure reducer is used with a gas reservoir to maintain constant pressure, then the pressure stability improves, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex pressure reducer component from the system. Instead of using an active pressure regulation device, the pressure stability is achieved passively through the mechanical properties of the flexible membrane itself, which naturally compensates for pressure changes as gas is consumed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane performs the pressure regulation function autonomously without requiring external control systems or additional components. As gas leaves the container through the capillary, the membrane's elastic properties automatically adjust the container volume to maintain relatively constant pressure, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex pressure reduction equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible container maintains a relatively constant leak rate over time, reducing the need for frequent refilling and lowering operational costs, enabling up to 20,000 calibration processes with a single fill of a 200 cm^3 container.
Implementation Method 1
a large leak rate results in a large pressure drop within the tracer gas tank
Implementation Method 2
The flexible material can be a film. Preferably, the test gas container is a bag made entirely of the flexible material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a testing device (10), comprising a test gas container (12), which is provided with a test leak (24) for producing a test gas flow at a predefined leakage rate, wherein the test leak comprises at least one capillary tube, which connects the interior (20) of the test gas container (12) to the outer surroundings (22) of the test gas container in a gas-conducting manner, which testing device is improved in that the test gas container (12) is at least partially made of a flexible material.